NEW $20 MILLION FUND TO HELP DEVELOP & GROW LOCAL EVENTS

Local event organisers can now apply for funding to expand their shows or bring new major sporting, musical or cultural events to town, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall encouraging applications for the new $20 million NSW Regional Events Acceleration Fund.

Mr Marshall said the program, which opened this week, would provide grants to boost major events in rural and regional areas, creating valuable jobs and stimulating the economy.

“This funding will help organisers put on events for our local community, and assist to cover the cost of equipment needed to keep events COVIDSafe,” Mr Marshall said.

“Whether it’s the Warialda Honey Festival, Thunderbolt Festival in Uralla or Glen Innes Celtic Festival, our region is renowned for events that successfully draw visitors to our region year-on-year. 

“Now event organisers have the opportunity to lift their product, with grants available to support temporary event infrastructure or to help increase visitation through the attraction, delivery and retention of major international and domestic events.

“By helping organisers host bigger and better events, we are giving regional communities greater access to entertainment and the opportunity to attend events they would otherwise have to travel to metropolitan areas to experience.”

Mr Marshall said interested organisations could register to participate in an online webinar next week.

“This is an opportunity not to be missed and I encourage eligible groups to register for the webinar and hear what they need to do to ensure their application has the best chance of success,” he said.  

“The online information session will be held on Wednesday, 3 March 2021 to provide a high-level overview of the program, guidance on the eligibility requirements and the application process and to answer questions from potential applicants.”   

Applications for the Regional Events Acceleration Fund are open and close at 5pm on Friday, 17 December 2021, or when funding is fully committed. 

To register for the webinar visit www.events-apac1.adobeconnect.com/content/connect/c1/1892064813/en/events/event/shared/default_template/event_registration.html?sco-id=2009951209 

Event organisers, regional NSW councils, not-for-profit organisations, sporting bodies and Aboriginal Land Councils are eligible to apply for grants. 

For further information about the fund, including program guidelines, applications and eligibility, go to www.nsw.gov.au/REAFund